Tales
from the sky:
McCall Fly-in participants show passion for flight

There’s a saying that duct tape is the handyman’s
secret weapon. Add a Swiss Army knife to the arsenal, and you’ve
got the makings for a makeshift airplane repair kit. Lothar
and Hannelore Klingmuller of Lakewood, Colorado had to learn
about the emergency took kit hard way.

During a trip to Mexico, the tail of their RV-6A plane,
named Indian Summer II, was damaged by a small boulder. The rock was
likely thrown from the wheel of a vehicle making its way across the
remote landing strip where the plane was parked for the night. The rock
ripped a hole in the tail – damage that would render the airplane
unsafe to fly.

Neither the help nor the tools to make repairs were to
be found. So, the couple pulled out a Swiss Army knife and began the
process of securing the metal back into place by making a series of
small rivet holes with the knifepoint.

But
the outer shell of the tail had been destroyed, so even though the knife
put the frame back into flying shape, the “skin” still needed
repair. Enter into the scene duct tape – ratty, worn tape that
held an old backpack together for years. Hannelore peeled it from the
pack and placed it over the damaged area.

Amazingly, the couple was able to fly safely to Tuscon.
There, they debated the merits of having the tail repaired, but decided
the patch job had worked so far, and continued home to Colorado for
permanent repairs.

This sporty RV kit plane (named after designer Richard
VanGrunsven) has gained notoriety in pilot circles lately. Just 3-1/2
years old, the aircraft has been featured in pilot magazines and Web
sites, according to the Klingmullers. The couple has taken the RV-6A
to Central America, Hallifax, Nova Scotia and countless locations across
America.

In addition to the Klingmullers, 11 other people and
six planes represented the Colorado Pilots Association.

* * *

Robert
White’s first airplane ride was in a B-17, seated on
his father’s lap. After that, he was hooked. He has been flying
for 40 years.

”The airplane is a time compressor,” White said. “You
look back in history, and compared to a mule train, locomotive or car,
it’s like traveling at light speed.” President of the Troutdale
Chapter of the Oregon Pilots Association, White piloted FAA Airworthiness
Inspector John Goostrey for an FAA-sponsored PACE (Pilot and Aircraft
Courtesy Evaluation) flight. As part of the PACE program, inspectors
offer pilots an honest evaluation of flying skills and plenty of helpful
piloting tips.

After a walk-around safety check of the 1958 Cessna,
pilot, inspectors and passengers board the plane.

Along with a full fuel tank, the loaded plane is at its
maximum gross weight for take-off. While not a difficult chore for the
“workhorse” aircraft, the full load was White’s idea
– a good opportunity to practice taking off with a load larger
than to what he is accustomed.